Wildfire Tree Forms
For this next period of studio-based work (Feb-Apr 2025), I will explore stoneware clay bodies and their natural colours under various firing conditions. In parallel, I aim to investigate how the essence of a wildfire burnt tree can be captured in ceramic sculptural form. This exploration will reflect on the growing frequency and devastating impact of wildfires worldwide.
This area of interest was sparked last summer, after seeing in the news the horrific wildfires in Greece - I have taken the word ‘Kameno’ which is Greek for ‘Burnt’.
20-21 February 2025
Using a red stoneware Valentines Clay PF 690, I spent 2 days in the studio working on my concept of a tree form after looking at trees after wildfires - which there have been many in the last year, notably Los Angeles, the Amazon, Greece, Australia.
This was a worthwhile task, as the next one I make will be informed by several issues that were raised:
at same width, form needs to be much taller
the curve at the top to be less curvaceous
tidy base and add name before adding texture
after base form finished, complete texture build on a kiln shelf
Within this practice module I need to begin the ongoing exploration through test tiles of created textures and natural coloured clay bodies and if these can be mixed to create a tonal muted colour palette.
27-28 February 2025
Initially using 3 different naturally coloured clays to produce colour blends with White St. Thomas as the base clay.
PF690 red stoneware
PF680 black stoneware
MJ Originale stoneware
Using a base weight of 100g of clay, made blends of 100% | 80/20 | 60/40 | 40/60 | 20/80 | between the 2 clays.
5-6 March 2025
This week I added to the test tiles started last week, using clay in colour blends. I also started to create some textured test tiles, as well as starting an upright cylinder test - which I think might be a better way of testing texture, engobes and different firing situations.
13-14 March 2025
This week continued making test cylinders. Also the blended clay test tiles were out of the kiln - some quite interesting results. I had originally gone up in increments of 20g, some of the blends would benefit from carrying out additional test tiles in smaller increments, such as in levels of 5g. Also, probably need to do another full set to put into the gas kiln, to see the difference between an oxidisation and reduction firing.
20-21 March 2025
Trying not to get distracted by other ideas, such as the Boreal series and the scorched wooden plinths idea. Eventually threw myself in making a maquette of one of the tress forms I have been playing around with in my sketchbook. It stands about 32cm, in black clay PF680 - plan to make a different form next week at about same height. Would be good to have 3 finished by 25 April for assessment - not sure if this is possible though!
26-28 March 2025
Prepared some more blended clay test tiles using the natural coloured clays, for the gaps I had identified in the blend runs - will be interesting to see how these look once fired.
Very conscious of time quickly running out for this period of work, wanted to try to complete another small maquette using a different form and texture. As well as trying an organic form using thicker torn squares of black PF680 clay, adhered to each other and not attached to a foundation form. Managed to complete both maquettes, but all felt VERY rushed.
2 - 4 April 2025
Can always tell when heading towards the deadline for a project - the building and making stops and the testing has a certain panic feel about it.
Completed the last batch of blended naturally coloured clay test tiles, hopefully filling in any colour gaps. Put oxides and engobes with glazes onto various test cylinders and tiles. Very quickly painted white, blue and green slip onto some thinly rolled black clay to make up a test tile for another thought process I’ve had. But the big news of the week is the gas kiln is now on, which is firing the first test maquette I made in red clay. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
